At least Kane had something to go on. It wasn’t just girls from the orphanage, but young girls around Dover who had gone missing. Was there a connection? Did local law enforcement know about this? He would have to ask Caroline. This may be something more than just a few runaways.
Kane entered the orphanage and was told Caroline was finishing a class. He walked down the hall to her room after being pointed in the right direction. Twelve girls of various ages were diligently working on their mathematics while Caroline circled around the room checking their work. One girl shook her head, viciously wiping off the equation on her slate. She didn’t look pleased.
Caroline was busy helping another student, so Kane approached the girl. “Do you need help?”
His deep voice startled the girl. “Who are you?”
Kane smiled. “I’m a friend of Miss Hearst’s. I’m a teacher as well. My name is Mr. Badgely.”
“We don’t have any male teachers here.”
“I’m waiting to speak to Miss Hearst, but if you need help in the meantime, I’ll see what I can do.”
The young girl nodded. Kane knelt next to her and showed her how to work out the equations on the board. When they finished, Kane noticed Caroline coming up to them.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Badgely.”
“Good afternoon. I was just helping this young lady since I saw you were busy.”
“That was very kind of you. Did you thank Mr. Badgely, Marie?”
“Thank you, sir,” the girl said.
“It was my pleasure.”
“I’ll be with you in a moment.” Caroline went to the head of the class and dismissed the group for the day.
The students eagerly hurried out the door, as if afraid their teacher would change her mind and summon them back.
“I didn’t expect to see you today,” she said, cleaning up the chalkboard.
“I made some inquiries around town about the missing girls.”
Caroline’s hand stilled on the board. She turned. “And?”
Kane told her about the establishments he had visited. Then he explained about his interesting conversation with the baker’s wife.
“I think we should go to the sewing factory.” Caroline paced in a circle. “There has to be a connection.”
“I agree. Lead the way.”
The factory was a few blocks away from the orphanage, so the walk didn’t take long. The afternoon had progressed to evening, so they should catch the factory as it was closing for the day. As they came closer, Kane saw workers leaving for the night. Hopefully, they could speak to someone.
Kane stopped the first worker he passed. “Excuse me. Could you tell me who runs the factory?”
“That would be Mr. Bruce.”
“Is he still in?”
“He should be. Once you enter, make a left. There are several offices on that side. The last one is Mr. Bruce’s.”
“Thank you.” Kane tipped his hat and led Caroline inside.
They followed the directions given. Sure enough, there was a stocky older gentleman behind a desk studying some papers.
Kane knocked on the door before he entered. “Mr. Bruce? I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time.”
The older man looked up. “Yes? How can I help you?”